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Doc Severinsen and His Big Band will perform on Oct. 19 at Penn State York's Pullo Family Performing Arts Center (The Pullo Center) and tickets are on sale now.

Image: Penn State

Doc Severinsen and His Big Band to perfrom Oct. 19 at The Pullo Center

July 18, 2013

Doc Severinsen and His Big Band to perfrom Oct. 19 at The Pullo Center

Doc Severinsen and His Big Band will take to the stage at Penn State York’s Pullo Family Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. Tickets are on sale now for $55 and $38. Tickets can be purchased at The Pullo Center Box Office, charged by phone at 717-505-8900 or online at www.pullocenter.yk.psu.edu. Penn State York students can purchase one ticket at the box office for the special price of $19.

“Heeeeere's Johnny!" That lead-in, followed by a big band trumpet blast, was the landmark of late night television for three decades. The "Johnny" was Johnny Carson, the announcer was Ed McMahon and the bandleader was Doc Severinsen. Beginning in October 1962, “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” ruled the night air for 30 years and on May 22, 1992, it came to an end.

Within a week of the final telecast, Severinsen and His Big Band were on the road, and to this day, audiences across America love and respect Doc and his big band, not just because he shared their living room with them for so many years, but because of Doc’s love of the Big Band repertoire. His musicianship keeps this iconic American music fresh to this day. Their repertoire includes Ellington and Basie standards, pop, jazz, ballads, big band classics and, of course, “The Tonight Show” theme.

Severinsen can still blow hard with his horn, and hit the high notes, a result of his continued commitment to the practice studio and the refinement of his craft. But as a band leader, Severinsen continues to surround himself with the best in the business, and he’s only too happy to give them a turn in the spotlight.

A Grammy Award winner, Severinsen has made more than 30 albums, from big band to jazz-fusion to classical. Two critically acclaimed Telarc CDs with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra showcased his multifaceted talents from Bach to ballads. “The Very Best of Doc Severinsen” reprised 15 of Doc's signature pieces. His other recordings include “Unforgettably Doc” with the Cincinnati Pops on Telarc and the Grammy-nominated “Once More With Feeling” on Amherst. He received a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance - Big Band for his recording of “Doc Severinsen and The Tonight Show Band-Volume I.”